A digital patient for computer-aided prosthesis design

Abstract

One contribution of 25 to a Theme Issue 'The virtual physiological human: integrative approaches to computational biomedicine'. This article concerns the design of lower limb prosthesis, both below and above knee. It describes a new computer-based design framework and a digital model of the patient around which the prosthesis is designed and tested in a completely virtual environment. The virtual model of the patient is the backbone of the whole system, and it is based on a biomechanical generalpurpose model customized with the patient's characteristics (e.g. anthropometric measures). The software platform adopts computer-aided and knowledge-guided approaches with the goal of replacing the current development process, mainly hand made, with a virtual one. It provides the prosthetics with a set of tools to design, configure and test the prosthesis and comprehends two main environments: the prosthesis modelling laboratory and the virtual testing laboratory. The first permits the three-dimensional model of the prosthesis to be configured and generated, while the second allows the prosthetics to virtually set up the artificial leg and simulate the patient's postures and movements, validating its functionality and configuration. General architecture and modelling/simulation tools for the platform are described as well as main aspects and results of the experimentation.

FE Analysis of Contact between Residual Limb and Socket during Simulation of Amputee Motion

“…Patient's walking has been simulated using motion laws deduced from experimental data acquired with a marker less Motion Capture (Mocap) equipment, based on four Sony-eye webcams [4]. The motion law is described by "Motion agents" that drive the skeleton joints and teach to patient's avatar how to move.…”

Digital human modeling (DHM) for improving work environment for specially-abled and elderly

“…Morotti et al, Colombo et al and Colombo et al created two digital human models for transtibial amputee and transfemoral amputee. Its gait was simulated for analyzing causes of gait deviations related to prosthesis set up and socket modeling [60][61][62] (Fig. 1).…”

Método Assistido por Computador e Prototipagem Rápida para o Fabrico Personalizado de uma Prótese de Dedo em Banda de Silicone

“…Apesar de o fabrico de próteses de dedos ser actualmente um processo bastante satisfatório a nível estético, enquanto introduz um grau de estabilidade que permite à prótese funcionar também como suporte para o manuseamento de determinados objectos (movimentos grosseiros), a construção de próteses de dedos é ainda um processo sub-óptimo. Limitações relacionadas com a dificuldade e desconforto na retenção da prótese, 2 falta de realismo nos acabamentos finais e manutenção da coloração do material da prótese, 3 e imprecisão do desenho e moldagem da prótese 4 continuam ainda a ser objecto de optimização e pesquisa. Neste contexto, apresenta-se o caso clínico de um doente com amputação por necrose do quinto dedo da mão esquerda, 23 dias pós-reimplantação bilateral das mãos.…”